What are the 7 plastic resin codes?

Table of Contents

Plastics by the Numbers

#1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
#2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
#3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
#4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
#5 – PP (Polypropylene)
#6 – PS (Polystyrene)
#7 – Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)

Which resin codes are recyclable?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Plastics Recycling By the Numbers

2: HDPE (High density polyethylene) HDPE plastics are also extremely common.
3: PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
4: LDPE (Low density polyethylene)
5: PP (Polypropylene)
6: PS (Polystyrene)
7: Other.

How many resin codes exist for plastic recycling?

seven resin codes
There are seven resin codes, 1-7, to identify plastic products. Each number represents a different type of plastic and how/where it can be disposed.

What are the 7 types of plastic codes and how are they used?

To summarize, there are 7 types of plastic exist in our current modern days:

1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester)
2 – High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4 – Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5 – Polypropylene (PP)
6 – Polystyrene (PS)
7 – Other.

What is resin code 4?

Resin code number 4 – Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE): Low-density Polyethylene. These are safe, flexible and durable plastics. They can be made into squeezable bottles, frozen food bags, toys, newspapers etc. These plastics can be recycled.

Which resin identification code does not indicate that a plastic is recyclable?

7
Table of resin codes

Recycling number	Abbreviation	Recycling
6	PS	Polystyrene is often not recycled through curbside programs as it is too lightweight to be economical to recycle, usually incinerated instead.
7	OTHER or O	Number 7 plastics are not typically recycled as they’re mostly specialty produced in limited volumes.

Can number 5 plastic be reused?

If you find as #2, #4, or #5 plastic, those are fairly safe to reuse. These contain low levels of polyethylene thermoplastic, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

What are #6 plastics?

The #6 identifies the resin of the plastic which makes polystyrene, but the arrows around the number do not mean that it is recyclable. This type of plasitc is either hard of soft (foam, also known as Styrofoam). Both should go in the landfill. Foam polystyrene, like that found in packaging, is made of mostly air.

What is the recycling code for plastic?

Guide to Plastic Recycling Codes. Plastic Recycling Code 1 PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate, abbreviated PET or PETE, is a thermoplastic polymer resin commonly used in food and liquid packaging because of its ability to hermetically seal gas and moisture. Additionally, PET can resist high temperatures while maintaining its structural integrity.

What is a plastic resin code?

A plastic resin code shows consumers which type of plastic resin was used to make that particular plastic product. Whether it is a soft drink bottle, plastic piping, styrofoam or plastic straws, all plastic products will be associated with one of these seven plastic recycling numbers.

What are the different types of plastic resins?

All the other types of biodegradable (Polylactic acid or PLA) and non-biodegradable (nylon, acrylic, polycarbonate) plastic resins fall in this category. Sometimes type #7 plastic is made by mixing different types of resins.

Are all plastic resins biodegradable?